Sense and SENSIBILITY

It's said that the Goddess of wealth, Lakshmi, likes environments that are neat and clean and well-kept

- Supriya Newar

A most curious sight could be seen outside general stores and bazaars in many parts of the country this week. Aside from the mithai and jewellery shops being bombarded with festive shoppers, one also caught some people, mostly women, walking out of general stores, resolutely holding a freshly purchased 'jhadu' or broom in their hands as though it were a mace and not a humble broom. But come Dhanteras and the humble broom acquires quasi-divine powers. It is said that the Goddess of wealth, Lakshmi, likes environments that are neat and clean and well-kept and therefore, the purchase of a brand-new broom that is meant to aid in getting the home free of cobwebs and all dusted and cleansed, is both appropriate and common.

Any significant festival is ornamented with its own peculiarities and traditions. Some of these practices may evolve with time but continue to carry and convey core ideas that make sense, remain relevant and are made more interesting by the stories they espouse. Halloween comes with its 'Trick or Treat'; Eid with its 'eidi', and Diwali with its almost mandatory 'safai', its de-cluttering and cleaning.